Strengthening Textile EPR: Why Germany Must Go Beyond Waste Management
In April 2026, HEJSupport submitted its comments on the German Federal Ministry for the Environment’s (BMUKN) draft framework for introducing Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for
End and new beginning – what comes after the German Partnership for Sustainable Textiles?
After more than a decade, civil society, including HEJSupport, takes stock of the German Partnership for Sustainable Textiles (PST) and sets clear expectations for its
Hidden chemicals in clothes: why the EU and global policy need digital product transparency
If we can track packages globally, why can’t we track chemicals in clothes?
Publications
Fast Facts
Less than 1% of clothes are recycled globally.
Source: BOF/McKinsey (2021), State of Fashion 2021, p 65 https://www.mckinsey.com/~/media/mckinsey/industries/retail/our%20insights/state%20of%20fashion/2021/the-state-of-fashion-2021-vf.pdf
Every second, one truckload of textiles is being burned or landfilled
Source:
Ellen McArthur Foundation (2017), A New Textiles Economy, p 37, (Overall, one garbage truck of textiles is landfilled or incinerated every second.); https://ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/a-new-textiles-economy
Fashion industry is accountable for up to 10% of the global Co2 emissions.
Source: Boston Consulting Group (2021), Net-Zero Challenge: The supply chain opportunity, Januar 2021;
https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Net_Zero_Challenge_The_Supply_Chain_Opportunity_2021.pdf
Textiles make up 15% of the world`s annual output of plastic.
Source: Heinrich Böll Foundation: Plastic Atlas
Information
The impact of the textiles industry on our planet is huge, and it involves the whole product life cycle. Dyeing processes use more than 1600 different chemicals, including formaldehyde, chlorine, lead, and mercury. Treatment and dyeing of textile is accountable for 20% of global industrial water pollution. HEJSupport works intensively on the topic of sustainable textiles. We represent the civil society members of the German Partnership for Sustainable Textiles, serve as NGO representatives in the UNEP 10-Year Framework on Sustainable Consumption and Production, and are on the steering committee of the chemicals in products programme of the former SAICM.
- Strengthening Textile EPR: Why Germany Must Go Beyond Waste Management
In April 2026, HEJSupport submitted its comments on the German - End and new beginning – what comes after the German Partnership for Sustainable Textiles?
After more than a decade, civil society, including HEJSupport, takes - Hidden chemicals in clothes: why the EU and global policy need digital product transparency
If we can track packages globally, why can’t we track chemicals in clothes? - Panel discussion on Textile-EPR at the German Parliament
Today, at a panel discussion “National implementation of the textile - New HEJSupport and ESDO Publication: Community-Based Monitoring of Industrial Chemical Pollution in Bangladesh’s Textile Sector
Drawing on field visits, the report documents severe contamination from toxic chemicals - Celebrating achievements of the Retail4Impact initiative
The Retail4Impact initiative’s primary goal is to empower retailers and brands to apply sustainability principles effectively - Joint Letter Calls on EU to Uphold Chemical Transparency and Traceability
HEJSupport, together with 41 other civil society organisations, has co-signed - Side event at OECD Forum: Engaging Stakeholders through Rightsholder-Based Monitoring
Invitation to the hybrid Side Event “Addressing Environmental and Labor - Online portal for textile incidents – knowing the risks but also eliminating them
Development and environmental NGOs have launched a public portal highlighting - Decoding Green Practices in Product Communication
In the presentation, HEJSupport explains what the Global Minimum Transparency System is and how it can help companies provide accurate information about chemicals in materials and products to different stakeholders. - Bilanz des Textilbündnis und der Fortschrittsberichte der Unternehmen (2023)
Das Textilbündnis hat 2022/2023 eine neue Struktur angenommen und seine - New Podcast “Building a world without toxins – Real life stories” launched
How do toxins affect our lives, and what can we do about it? Listen to our new podcast on chemicals in textiles. - Bilanz der Vertreter*innen der Zivilgesellschaft im Textilbündnis nach einem Jahr Ampelkoalition
Nach einem Jahr Ampelkoalition bilanzieren HEJSupport, Südwind, Inkota und FEMNET die Arbeit des Textilbündnisses in Deutschland. - Guidelines for Providing Product Sustainability Information
A global guidance on making effective environmental, social and economic claims to facilitate the empowerment of consumers - NGOs are concerned about the Product Environmental Footprint methodology by the EU Commission
European NGOs, including HEJSupport, are concerned about the Product Environmental - NGOs seek answers from ECHA on nanomaterials in products
HEJSupport and 12 other health, environment, and justice organisations have - Wie gut sind Unternehmen im Textilbündnis wenn es um Umwelt und Menschenrechte geht?Pressemitteilung der zivilgesellschaftlichen Organisationen im Textilbündnis, darunter HEJSupport.
- New UN Human Rights Report on Toxic Plastics
The report by the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights and toxics highlights the human rights implications of toxic additives in plastics and the life cycle stages of plastic, including the rights of women, children, workers, and indigenous peoples. - NGOs urge Canada to complete the assessment of PFAS in one year
It is not sufficient to simply focus on data collection by expanding the monitoring of PFAS in the environment – the efforts on PFAS must include a roadmap to move to informed substitution and innovation with safer products and chemicals. - Sustainable Fashion – everything you need to know about your clothes
HEJSupport new on-line information resource on sustainability related topics in the textile and fashion industry provides a platform for progressive voices willing to share their vision and ideas on different aspects of sustainability in the textile and garment industry. - Out now: NGO recommendations for the EU Strategy for Sustainable Textiles
The Campaign #Wardrobe Change, where HEJSupport is a member, launched its position paper - Creative Economy and the Challenge of Sustainability: The Case of Fashion and Life Cycle Assessment
Further behavioral changes may be supported by increasing transparency and accountability in the fashion value chain, through more visible sustainability standards, consumer education and access to information. - Products in our home: a hidden health threat
Consumers deserve to be told the truth. There is a need for mandatory full disclosure of the presence of toxic substances in products - EU Commission Roadmap on a sustainable textiles strategy
The EU Commission released a public consultation of new strategy on sustainable textiles. HEJSupport submitted comments. - The Importance of Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions in the Fashion Industry
If sustainability at all levels of the fashion industry is both regulated and rewarded, the shift toward a circular economy devoid of dependence on carbon emissions will become intuitive. - No Small Issue: The Problem with Microplastics in Fashion
Microplastics account for approximately 40% of all plastic that ends up in the ocean. - Cancelled or suspended orders: how COVID-19 exposes global inequality in the fashion industry
The COVID-19 crisis is exposing global inequalities in the fashion industry, as international corporations have moved to cancel orders already in production. - Looking for sustainable fashion? Here are some tips to facilitate the search
All clothing production adversely affects the environment in some way, but there are brands working to make the transition to sustainable fashion. - Harmful lifecycle of textile industry
Concerted efforts by advocates and consumers are needed to push textile and fashion corporations toward environmental responsibility, from production to disposal. - New film: 5 Tips to sustainably transform your wardrobe
We are happy to present the new film from our HEJYouth Group! It gives you 5 Tipps to sustainably transform your wardrobe. - Reducing your environmental impact can be both fashionable and affordableEngaging in sustainable shopping practices and choosing environmentally-responsible brands can further progress the industry as companies begin to realize that sustainability can be good for business.
- New Report: Sustainable Fashion? How companies provide sustainability information to consumers
The textile and fashion industries are among the largest and the most polluting industries in the world. They must explore strategies geared towards improving sustainability in order to minimise resource use, pollution and waste. - Webinar Summary “Sustainable Fashion? How companies provide sustainability information to consumers”
Want to know more about how companies provide sustainability information to consumers? Listen to our webinar recording. - Webinar “Sustainable Fashion? How companies provide sustainability information to consumers”Is the sustainability information provided by fashion brands sufficient? Learn more about a way forward which makes consumers a driving force able to shape the future of sustainable textiles.
- The Sustainability of Fashion: what role can consumers play?
Read our new article about sustainable textiles and the demand of consumers. The textiles industry is one of the largest industries in the world. Its supply-chain includes agriculture, manufacturing, processing, fabric care, use, recycling and disposal. Nearly all countries are involved in the textile industry though the actual involvement can vary from textile and product design and development of manufacturing technologies, to actual production and shipping to numerous locations. However all countries face the growing problem of textile waste management directly linked to unsustainable textile production and use. - Welche Rolle spielt die Textilindustrie bei der Verschmutzung von Flüssen?
HEJSupport hat im letzten Rundbrief des Forums Umwelt und Entwicklung einen Artikel zum Thema Textilien und Flüsse veröffentlicht. Die globale Tex- tilindustrie ist eine der größten VerschmutzerInnen von Flüssen weltweit.